James Buchanan, Jr. (April 23, 1971- June 1, 1868) Democratic Party March 4, 1857- March 4, 1861 Vice President: John Breckinridge
Thematic Context- Religion Months into his presidency, Buchanan selected Alfred Cumming to replace Bringham Young as the governor of Utah in July 1857. This angered many Mormons in Utah, which caused a revolt that included a massacre of California-bound wagons in September of that same year, killing 135. These Mormons were angry at Buchanan for choosing Cumming over their beloved leader Young. In order to restore peace in Utah, Buchanan sent troops into Utah. His goal was to not only restore peace, but to also successfully install Cumming as governor. However, they were met by bans of angry Mormons, and there were multiple raids on army camps. Nevertheless, the raids didn't affect much of anything.
Thesis: Looking over James Buchanan's term as President, it seems like he deserves the grade of an E. This is based partly off of no significant positive doings on his part. In addition, he allowed the division between the North and the South to become even worse in multiple aspects. His disagreements with Stephen Douglas also led to the Democratic Party weakening, including not being able to efficiently run the country. Many refer to Buchanan as one of the worst Presidents this country has had, and in agreement with this, he deserves an E.
Goals: One main goal that Buchanan outlines in his inauguration speech is that he wanted to sustain the Union. Obviously, he was not very successful in fulfilling this goal, as the country was on the brink of Civil War as he left office. He also said that he wanted to "restore harmony and ancient friendship among the people of the several States." Again, Buchanan did nothing but worsen the relationship between northern and southern states while in office, as he could not do much of anything to stop state civil wars, such as in Kansas. Tensions did nothing but rise between the two sides while Buchanan was in office, and it all came to fruition as the Southern states seceded from the Union as Buchanan was exiting office.
Congress: Buchanan and Congress didn't have the best relationship to be frank. He and Congress seemed to have different perspectives on many different situations. One of the most notable had to do with the Kansas territory. Buchanan proposed that a proslavery constitution be approved for Kansas. However, Congress defiantly refused, and some members were angered, as many Republicans filled its seats. This miscommunication led to all of the historical problems in Kansas involving slavery and the politics that go with it (Bleeding Kansas, for instance). Buchanan's relationship with Congress is one additional component contributing to Buchanan's sup-par presidency.
Positive & Negative: To be honest, there weren't many positive decisions made by Buchanan. The only thing that he did that could be seen as positive was not making any significant economic exchanges with foreign nations during the financial panic of 1857. This was an international crisis that could only be worsened for the U.S. if an excess of trading occurred with other nations that were struggling. Buchanan keeping foreign trade to a minimum at this time was a wise decision. However, many negative details plagued his presidency. They include, the financial crisis itself, the problems with the Kansas territory, and North/ South tensions rising. The most negative, though, would have to be Buchanan basically sitting idly by and watching the South secede from the Union. He stated that he was against their secession, but felt that the President didn't have the power to force them not to. Therefore, he felt justified in not doing anything to prevent the Union from breaking apart. This not only defies one of his main goals, but had the potential to severely damage the country as a whole.
Future: Buchanan's presidency played a huge role in that of his successor, Abraham Lincoln. When Buchanan left office, the Confederacy was seceding from the Union. Lincoln was immediately met with the challenge of either stopping the South from going through with the separation, or preparing for war the hope of bringing the South back. Buchanan made Lincoln's job harder, but also made Lincoln look like a much better President when all was said and done. Buchanan also affected the lives of future citizens, as they were getting ready to live in a land of civil war and sectional tension.
Conclusion: James Buchanan is, by far, the worst President analyzed thus far. He wasted his Presidency sitting back and watching the country divide. If Buchanan would've been President (somehow) for a second term, who knows if we'd even be the United States of America that we are today. Buchanan's influence on the secession of the South, the sectional tension, the igniting of the Civil War, and more lead to Buchanan getting the grade of an E on his report card.
Democratic Party
March 4, 1857- March 4, 1861
Vice President: John Breckinridge
Thematic Context- Religion
Months into his presidency, Buchanan selected Alfred Cumming to replace Bringham Young as the governor of Utah in July 1857. This angered many Mormons in Utah, which caused a revolt that included a massacre of California-bound wagons in September of that same year, killing 135. These Mormons were angry at Buchanan for choosing Cumming over their beloved leader Young.
In order to restore peace in Utah, Buchanan sent troops into Utah. His goal was to not only restore peace, but to also successfully install Cumming as governor. However, they were met by bans of angry Mormons, and there were multiple raids on army camps. Nevertheless, the raids didn't affect much of anything.
Thesis: Looking over James Buchanan's term as President, it seems like he deserves the grade of an E. This is based partly off of no significant positive doings on his part. In addition, he allowed the division between the North and the South to become even worse in multiple aspects. His disagreements with Stephen Douglas also led to the Democratic Party weakening, including not being able to efficiently run the country. Many refer to Buchanan as one of the worst Presidents this country has had, and in agreement with this, he deserves an E.
Goals: One main goal that Buchanan outlines in his inauguration speech is that he wanted to sustain the Union. Obviously, he was not very successful in fulfilling this goal, as the country was on the brink of Civil War as he left office. He also said that he wanted to "restore harmony and ancient friendship among the people of the several States." Again, Buchanan did nothing but worsen the relationship between northern and southern states while in office, as he could not do much of anything to stop state civil wars, such as in Kansas. Tensions did nothing but rise between the two sides while Buchanan was in office, and it all came to fruition as the Southern states seceded from the Union as Buchanan was exiting office.
Congress: Buchanan and Congress didn't have the best relationship to be frank. He and Congress seemed to have different perspectives on many different situations. One of the most notable had to do with the Kansas territory. Buchanan proposed that a proslavery constitution be approved for Kansas. However, Congress defiantly refused, and some members were angered, as many Republicans filled its seats. This miscommunication led to all of the historical problems in Kansas involving slavery and the politics that go with it (Bleeding Kansas, for instance). Buchanan's relationship with Congress is one additional component contributing to Buchanan's sup-par presidency.
Positive & Negative: To be honest, there weren't many positive decisions made by Buchanan. The only thing that he did that could be seen as positive was not making any significant economic exchanges with foreign nations during the financial panic of 1857. This was an international crisis that could only be worsened for the U.S. if an excess of trading occurred with other nations that were struggling. Buchanan keeping foreign trade to a minimum at this time was a wise decision. However, many negative details plagued his presidency. They include, the financial crisis itself, the problems with the Kansas territory, and North/ South tensions rising. The most negative, though, would have to be Buchanan basically sitting idly by and watching the South secede from the Union. He stated that he was against their secession, but felt that the President didn't have the power to force them not to. Therefore, he felt justified in not doing anything to prevent the Union from breaking apart. This not only defies one of his main goals, but had the potential to severely damage the country as a whole.
Future: Buchanan's presidency played a huge role in that of his successor, Abraham Lincoln. When Buchanan left office, the Confederacy was seceding from the Union. Lincoln was immediately met with the challenge of either stopping the South from going through with the separation, or preparing for war the hope of bringing the South back. Buchanan made Lincoln's job harder, but also made Lincoln look like a much better President when all was said and done. Buchanan also affected the lives of future citizens, as they were getting ready to live in a land of civil war and sectional tension.
Conclusion: James Buchanan is, by far, the worst President analyzed thus far. He wasted his Presidency sitting back and watching the country divide. If Buchanan would've been President (somehow) for a second term, who knows if we'd even be the United States of America that we are today. Buchanan's influence on the secession of the South, the sectional tension, the igniting of the Civil War, and more lead to Buchanan getting the grade of an E on his report card.
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*"James Buchanan: Inaugural Address." The American Presidency Project. Web. 20 Oct. 2011. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=25817#axzz1bNB3IInw.
"James Buchanan's Wheatland--Presidents: A Discover Our Shared Heritage Travel Itinerary." U.S. National Park Service - Experience Your America. Web. 20 Oct. 2011. <http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/presidents/james_buchanan_wheatland.html>.
"James Buchanan." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 20 Oct. 2011. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Buchanan.